Slim Devices Transporter or used Esoteric DV50?

[jsaliga]

I am currently using a Denon DVD-3930 for all of my digital audio. But I must admit that I have been thinking about upgrading from time to time. For a while I thought about running down a used Esoteric DV50. They seem to be easy enough to find used (makes me wonder why everyone is selling theirs).

But recently I have also been drawn to the Transporter. Hard disk space is dirt cheap these days. I also have a lot of vinyl needle drops that I have been making in 24/96 digital audio and then burning them to DVD-A to play in the Denon. Having the Transporter would save me a lot of time spent burning discs. True, I would have to rip a lot of stuff to FLAC, but it doesn't take much time for a single disc.

If I went with the Transporter that would mean giving up SACD. I have about 52 Hybrid SACDs (mostly RCA Living Stereo titles), and two SACD only discs (no big deal to loose those two since I have them both on pristine vinyl anyway).

I would be interested to know what you would choose, and more importantly why.

--Jerome

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Interesting question.
I have already chosen a music streaming device (SB+, which is roughly on par with the Transporter). I find the convenience of being able to listen to my whole CD collection without moving to be incredibly refreshing. One of the regular ways I listen is using random, across all 650 ripped CDs. Not something that would really be physically viable with a normal disk spinner.

Having said all of that, I have heard my SB+ outperformed by a more expensive CDP, and I'd expect the Esoteric to at least be on par with the transporter, and quite probably have the edge on it.

 

[jsaliga]

Thanks Mr_Sukebe. I was also thinking that another option would be to get the Transporter and a slim universal player such as the Oppo DV-980H. I could even run the digital output of the Oppo to the Transporter. I know that DSD will be converted to PCM 24/96 over the digital output, but I don't see that as a terrible compromise.

If I get the Esoteric DV50, that will probably mean that buying the Transporter in the future will probably not happen. There is no room in my current audio rack for both, and I have no intentions of changing out my rack. After just recently buying a used Sota Star Sapphire turntable...I don't really want to spend another $5K plus on more gear. So it really needs to be one or the other -- not both.

I know it sounds like I am leaning in the direction of the Transporter, but I want to think the decision through without over-analyzing it.

--Jerome

 

[monolith]

I think the Transporter is the better choice. So much more versatile, not to mention playing files of a hard drive is better than playing CDs.

If you get too lazy to rip your CDs you can just run digital from your Denon to the Transporter's DAC anyway.

 

[jsaliga]

Quote:

Originally Posted by monolith /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you get too lazy to rip your CDs you can just run digital from your Denon to the Transporter's DAC anyway.

Thanks. I was thinking pretty much the same thing. However, I don't have enough room in my rack for both the Denon (has a big footprint) and the Transporter. So if I get the Transporter then I'll need to consider a slim transport such as the Oppo DV-980H.

--Jerome

 

[johnsonad]

My vote is for the TP. I own one and love the thing. It really does sound good and is so stupid easy to use. I've got about 1T of music and it makes it easy to sort through and organize. Is it the best thing out there, no, but the options more then make up for losses. I'm building a TPA Buffalo DAC right now and with external streaming of AES and S/PDIF it is versitile until I settle on a different DAC or even if I need to. Buy one used though and save the cash. They show up on the gon for around 1500.

 

[jsaliga]

I appreciate the advice. I have decided to get the Transporter. I was already leaning in that direction anyway. It's versatility is too great to ignore and I am certain that sound quality wise it's a fair step up from my Denon 3930. The Esoteric might have a slight advantage in SQ, but probably not enough to motivate me to want to continue to shuffle media in and out of a player everytime I want to listen to digital music.

I'll pair the Transporter with an Oppo DV 980H. Once that is in place I'll put my Denon up for sale.

--Jerome

 

[sonq]

The DV50 leans towards the clean & clinical side, so quite system dependent. Definitely not a good choice if you have a lean and bright solid state system.

A SB Duet + CA840C will allow both streaming and playing CDs at around same price as a transporter.

 

[gregeas]

I have two Transporters and just had one modded by Modwright. Here's an impressive review:

6moons audio reviews: ModWright Transporter

Excerpt: "The ModWright Transporter performs...against machines $10,000 and up which can only spin, not stream. The upshot is that investing today into a traditional CD player seems quite foolish and pointless..."

So you can buy the Transporter now and have the option to get it modded later so it can compete with the best sources.

Once you get used to the convenience of PC music it's very difficult to go back to spinnng disks...

 

[cAsE sEnSiTiVe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregeas /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have two Transporters and just had one modded by Modwright. Here's an impressive review: 6moons audio reviews: ModWright Transporter Excerpt: "The ModWright Transporter performs...against machines $10,000 and up which can only spin, not stream. The upshot is that investing today into a traditional CD player seems quite foolish and pointless..." So you can buy the Transporter now and have the option to get it modded later so it can compete with the best sources. Once you get used to the convenience of PC music it's very difficult to go back to spinnng disks...

May I add that I found the differences between an unmodded TP, and Modwright's NOT to be subtle!

It really is a logical step, as it brings out all of the potential in the design. And it will trounce the Esoteric. It kicked my heavily modded Wadia 861se to the curb.

Enjoy

 

[jsaliga]

I know there are a lot of modding enthusiasts on Head-Fi that will think nothing of buying a $4K digital source and then sending it off for a mod that costs an additional $2K or more. That would not be me.

The reason I was weighing a used Esoteric DV50 against a new Transporter is because they are in the same pricing neighborhood give or take a few bucks. I'm not interested in doing something silly like turning a $2K machine into a $4K machine, regardless of the perceived benefits. So I would rather just stick to talking about stock gear in this thread if you don't mind. Thanks.

--Jerome

 

[cAsE sEnSiTiVe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsaliga /img/forum/go_quote.gif I know there are a lot of modding enthusiasts on Head-Fi that will think nothing of buying a $4K digital source and then sending it off for a mod that costs an additional $2K or more. That would not be me. The reason I was weighing a used Esoteric DV50 against a new Transporter is because they are in the same pricing neighborhood give or take a few bucks. I'm not interested in doing something silly like turning a $2K machine into a $4K machine, regardless of the perceived benefits. So I would rather just stick to talking about stock gear in this thread if you don't mind. Thanks. --Jerome

My mistake. I was under the impression that you were looking to push the sonic envelope. To be honest, having heard both, there isn't a whole lot of differences between a DV50 and a stock transporter, save for the convenience of being able to call up your music at a moments notice. So in that respect anyway, you've most likely made the correct call.

As an aside, I spent a total of $3500 on my transporter, didn't have to "send" it anywhere, and after being in this hobby 20+ years, it is the BEST purchase I have ever made, and the only one I can confidently say I'd never replace.

Enjoy your TP.

 

[jsaliga]

I appreciate your perspective, honestly. But I don't always share all the factors that weigh into my decisions. For example, I wouldn't take this particular mod even if it were free. Aside from its capabilities as an audio device, I am also interested in the Transporter's footprint. Having tubes sticking out of it would make the device useless to me due to space constraints. I am simply looking to buy one component that meets my needs.

And then there is the whole idea about modding. As I said, I know there are a lot of people on Head-Fi who swear by it and love the folks who offer these products and services. I personally think it is a colossal waste of money, and there is nothing that you or anyone else can say that will convince me otherwise. I won't make it a point to tell people who have modded their gear that I think they are throwing their money away (it is their money after all), so long as they don't argue that I don't have a clue about what I'm missing.

The term "pushing the sonic envelope" to me is audiophilese for needlessly spending wads of cash. Sorry, but that's just the way I see it. I have a price ceiling for just about any piece of gear, which is roughly $2,000 (also explains why I was thinking of a used DV50 and the Transporter). It isn't that I won't spend more (I have $4K into my speakers and more than that into my amps). But I won't spend more without a personal audition and a first-hand assessment of what I am considering buying. I have a difficult time accepting that there is a lot of value in very high priced gear, so you won't find me talking about $3,500 MC phono cartridges on Head-Fi either. But don't think for a minute that sound quality isn't important to me. It most certainly is, but it isn't the only consideration that goes into my purchasing decisions.

Thanks.

--Jerome